Money Is Murder

What to expect from the McKinley Mysteries:

Romance. Humor. Murder. Are you looking for a murder mystery without all the graphic violence and foul language? Something that you can enjoy in an afternoon and walk away feeling good about afterward? How about a dash of humor and romance? If so, meet former detectives Sean and Sara McKinley. When a billionaire leaves them all his money, they no longer have to work, but they find themselves sticking to what they’re good at—solving murders. Undercover, off the books, and around the world, they’ll get to the bottom of things…and romance it up along the way.

This is the perfect book series for fans of Hart to Hart, Castle, Colombo, Monk, Rockford Files, Psych, and Magnum PI.

Read in any order or follow the series from the beginning.

Book Title: MONEY IS MURDER

Author: Carolyn Arnold

Series: McKinley Mysteries, Book 3

Published by: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.

ISBN (e-book): 978-1-988064-56-7

ISBN (paperback 4 x 6): 978-1-988353-27-2

ISBN (paperback 5 x 8): 978-1-988064-43-7

ASIN: B00KAVZTRI

154 pages

It's in the fine print…

Old Man Quinn left Sean more than his billions–he left him a murder to solve.

Inside the chest given to him from the executor of Quinn’s Will, Sean finds a key and implicit instruction that the contents are for his eyes only. After Sean discovers where the key fits, he finds another letter–Quinn wants a closed case reopened, and Sean is shocked to learn who the victim was.

As Sean and his wife, Sara, uncover clues, it leads them from the back rooms of Quinn’s corporation to the streets of New York City, but they will stop at nothing to get to the truth.

Sean and Sara can’t turn their backs on their benefactor’s last wish that they investigate a murder. But it’s not going to be that straightforward. They no longer have their detective badges, and the police have already closed the case as a suicide. Of course, their benefactor never agreed with the finding, and they owe it to him to find the truth—and they will—because this murder-solving duo has never backed down from a challenge.

Excerpt from chapter 2 of Money is Murder (McKinley Mysteries)

A TRIP INTO THE PAST

QUINN’S HOUSE WAS AN OLDER, two-story red-brick in a quaint neighborhood. Dental molding accented the crest of the roof and the fascia, at the front of the home.

Sean unlocked the door and a sense of melancholy trickled over him. This place was now his, along with everything else Quinn had left him. Stepping inside, the ambiance impressed on him that he was somehow invading a sanctioned place and that by his presence, he was a trespasser.

“The last time I was here was ten years ago, give or take. It’s not right, my being here now.”

Sara laced her fingers through Sean’s and drew him to her. “He wanted you to have all of this, darling. He valued your friendship. He understood.”

He had let her read the letter from Quinn, the one that included the words cautioning him not to experience any regrets—Sean found it harder to abide by that advice. Somehow, self-flagellation seemed appropriate in light of what he’d received in compensation for his kind act all those years ago. Who, other than Quinn, would place such a high reward on kindness?

Sean kissed Sara’s forehead and she drew back, studying his eyes.

“I can tell this is hard for you.”

“It is.” He looked away from her, finding it hard to match eyes when a swirl of emotions churned his gut.

“Mr. Quinn wanted you to have this key,” she held it up and passed it to him, “and he wants you to find out where it goes.”

“Sometimes it feels like this is one big misunderstanding and that I’m going to wake up. They have the wrong Sean McKinley.”

“You know you’re the right one. Let’s find what Mr. Quinn left for you.”

He nodded. She was right. Quinn had been a grown man, and if he had been compelled to leave everything to Sean, who was he to argue?

“Do you want to split up?” he asked.

“Darling? We’ve only been married for about a month.” She laughed, narrowing her eyes to a seductive trace.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do. I’m just giving you a hard time.”

“Isn’t that my job?” He scooped her into his arms and took her mouth.

She flirtatiously filtered out of his embrace.

“Fine, you’re breaking my heart, but fine.”

“Oh, Sean, I’m sure you’ll survive a few minutes without me right by your side. Besides, you are the one who suggested we go our separate ways.” She pranced off in the direction of the stairs, blowing him a kiss before going up.

Sean investigated the main level. The living area was positioned right inside the front door. There wasn’t a sectioned entry, but a lonely coat rack and rubber mat identified the space.

All Quinn’s furniture was dated but in good condition. There were plastic sleeves on the arms of the couch and sofa chair. Sean smiled when he realized this. He remembered Quinn’s advice about their use—Sean had told him that’s only what old people do. Quinn had conceded that he did fit into that category.

Sean touched his fingertips to the plastic, transporting himself back to Quinn’s presence, savoring the memories for a few seconds longer before moving on to survey the room.

He ran his hand along shelving and media cabinets, searching all the doors and edges for a hole that would accept a skeleton key.

He went on to the kitchen, checking every cupboard and the pantry. When he finished, he paused outside the basement door, which appeared to be older with inset molding, a dark brass knob plate, and a wooden handle. Beneath it was a key slot.

Could it be that easy?

He put the key in, but it fit loosely. He let out the breath he had been holding. Quinn had faith in him and it was time he developed some in himself. He wasn’t going to give up until he found where the key belonged.

A brief visit with the two police detectives turned amateur sleuths.
You will enjoy this book more if you have read previous books in the series.
Sean and Sara are back from their honeymoon trip but still in honeymoon mode.
They are ready to check out a successful business they inherited but are surprised to have also inherited a mystery, of the dangerous and deadly variety.
I like the interactions between Sara and Sean. It reminds me a bit of Hart to Hart as well as the close partnerships seen on Blue Bloods.

Coming in October 2017

Author Bio

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.

Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.

Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:

Website - http://carolynarnold.net/

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